Small WHITE sea stars...Keep or remove??

[Mr Cob]

So...just noticed one of these guys on my tank...small white sea star. His bottom is white and his top is also white with a faded black smudge looking center. It has five arms and is 1/2 the size of a dime...roughly.

It looks like an asterina, but it has five symmetrical arms versus 6 random arms.

Is it best to remove these from a reef tank?

What's your advice or experience?

Thanks.

[dustint21]

I have heard this go both ways! I take them out!!! They may not hurt anything, but I know the go from a few to ALOT pretty fast! JMO!

[Mr Cob]

I just removed him...he's in a bag in the refugium. Hmmm what to do with him now. Maybe I'll catch a few more if I find anymore and someone might want them for their Harlequin shrimp.

Got one ready if someone wants him.

[dustint21]

I think Penny2cents was tryin to collect them at one time! Not sure if she still is!

[Bill S]

I've seen them for sale on ebay...

Kill the SOBs. All of them.

[ErikH]

They will eat your zoas! Nothing like seeing them on a PPE, I got sick of picking them out so I bought a Harlequin.

[roscozman]

I don't think Pennies2Cents was looking for some (She's my wife), I did find a thread in the wanted to buy/trade section where zcatzmeow was willing to take any amount, large or small.

We had a few at the beginning when we bought some sand from a member. I don't see them anymore.

[tony]

my asterinas were at plague proportions. bought a harlequin. havent seen one since. i do see brittle stars often, but not near as many. IF you get a harlequin, make sure you are ok with feeding it after it wipes out all of your other stars.

[Mr Cob]

Thanks for all the replies...I'm going to take Bill's advice and kill the SOB's ..LOL

Guess it's time to purchase a Harlequin...I have zoas that I might cry over if they wiped em out.

[Mr Cob]

Check this thread out:

http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_helegans.php

Interesting info...